Mirimus COVID-19 Testing Program Guide

Virginia Schools

Inquiries and Email
virginia@mirimus.com

Administrators and District Enrollment

Top 3 Reasons a COVID-19 Testing Program is Being Implemented at Your School

Testing helps us to catch any cases of COVID-19 before they become outbreaks. In almost half of COVID cases, the individual does not experience symptoms but can still spread COVID-19, which is why testing everyone regularly helps to prevent spread and keep our schools open safely.

1. Help prevent COVID-19 spread in school

School COVID-19 testing programs reliably catch cases in those without symptoms that otherwise might have gone unnoticed. By isolating those individuals before they have a chance to infect others, school COVID-19 testing programs reduce school closures and enable more sustainable in-person learning.

“Weekly testing of all students, teachers, and staff can reduce in-school infections by an estimated 50 percent”

— Rand Corporation and Mathematica Report, commissioned by the Rockefeller Foundation, 02-04-21

2. Build confidence among families and staff

Many schools have opened with far less than full attendance, school screening programs can help reassure nervous families and staff that schools are in fact safe places to learn and work.

3. Protect the broader community

By increasing the testing resources in the community, school COVID-19 testing programs enable students and families to protect their family, friends, and community and provide more information for local public health leaders to continue fighting the virus.

“Nearly half of all SARS-CoV-2 infections are transmitted by people who are not showing any symptoms…A positive test early in the course of the illness enables individuals to isolate themselves – reducing the chances that they will infect others and allowing them to seek treatment earlier, likely reducing disease severity and the risk of long-term disability, or death.”

— NIH Leadership Message, 9-04-2020

What type of test does Mirimus use?

Mirimus uses a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test to detect viral RNA in your saliva or nasal swab sample. The test is performed in a laboratory where the presence of viral RNA can be detected even before antibodies or symptoms of the disease are present. This means the tests can tell whether or not someone has the virus very early on in their illness.

During the PCR testing, enzymes are added to the samples to copy any viral RNA that may be present. This is so that enough copies of the RNA are present to signal a positive result. Only the SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA that causes COVID-19 can be copied so that it is the only virus detected by the testing.

Mirimus also uses surveillance pool testing to increase sample processing throughput and lower the cost of testing.

How do I self-collect my saliva sample?

Saliva Self-Collection Kit Instructions

This kit is for saliva collection only.
Do not deposit mucus, phlegm, blood, other substances, or foreign objects.
Do not eat, drink, smoke, chew gum, or brush your teeth at least 30 minutes prior to providing your sample.
Do not use mouthwash for at least 2 hours prior to providing your sample.

Open collection kit sample bag and remove all contents.

Take sample collection tube and saliva straw out of sterile package.

Unscrew collection tube cap and insert ridged end of saliva straw into tube.

Pool saliva in mouth and push saliva into tube until at least half full (1 mL).

Remove and discard straw and securely cap collection tube.

Place collection tube in sample kit bag seal, and return to collection site. Ensure sample kit bag has label with name and QR code.

Download Self-Collection Kit Instructions

Kids Self-Collection Kit Video

Adult Self-Collection Kit Video

How do I get test results?

After samples have been collected and transported to the lab your sample will be processed with all the samples received from your school. When processing is finished, typically within 24 hours of receiving your samples at our lab, results will be made available to your school administration though the Mirimus results portal.

Your school administration will review results and take action and communicate to participants that have positive or inconclusive or invalid results. If your individual results are positive, your school will contact you by phone or email and direct you to your next steps of confirmatory testing and possible quarantine.

What do my results mean?

Negative (not detected) individual or pool test result
If your individual test result is negative (not detected) the presence of SARSCoV-2 was not detected in the sample that you provided at the time of collection.

If a pool test result is negative (not detected), then all the samples can be presumed negative with the single test. In other words, all the people who provided samples can be assumed to test negative for SARS-CoV-2 infection (presumptively negative).
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Positive (detected) pool test result
If a pool test is positive (detected), a Reflex test will be performed where each sample will immediately be tested by PCR individually before final results are released. Results administrators must release PHI (Name, DOB, Address, Phone Number, Gender, Race) for the two samples within the “Detected” sub-pool for release to your states department of health.
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Positive (detected) individual test result
Individual diagnostic results will be released to the individuals or parents/guardians of that individual, as well as the school and your state's department of health, provided that individuals have consented to testing and authorization to disclose protected health information regarding COVID-19 testing.

Do I need to provide consent to my school for testing?

Testing at your school requires test participants to give permission to test and to provide the information legally required by your state for COVID-19 testing. Consent is collected by your school from student's parents/guardians, teachers, staff, and students over 18 years old.

Frequently Asked Questions

For Administrators Only

School and District Enrollment Steps

Enroll your school or district and assign your primary, onsite coordinator and results administrator.
Create a new or customize the Testing Program Introduction Letter template for your community to inform them of the testing program. We have attached a sample letter for your convenience.
Send consent link to your testing population to enroll, consent, and sign HIPAA release.
View the self-collection explainer videos for children and adults.
Schedule a kick-off call with the Mirimus field operations team.
Order your test supplies from your Mirimus account and field operations team.
For support, email testingsupport@mirimus.com.
Email virginia@mirimus.com with any questions.

School and District Testing Program Enrollment

COVID-19 Testing Program Enrollment

Individual Consent Form and HIPAA Release

Communication Documents

Testing Program Introduction Letter template (DOCX)

Sample Collection and Tranport Instructions

Sample Return Shipping Instructions (PDF)

Testing and Results

If your school has appointed you as the test results administrator, you will be given access to Mirimus Consent Collection and Test Results. The platform will give you access to consent rosters, test participation numbers, pool test results, and individual results data. You will receive an email invitation to access when your school is enrolled and onboarded.
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Consent Forms and Test Results
Getting Access to Completed Consent Forms and Test Results (PDF)

Is my school testing with Mirimus SalivaClear?

The following schools are testing with Mirimus. If you do not see your school on this list, please contact your school's COVID-19 testing coordinator to see if your school is testing with Mirimus.

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